Most of you have probably eaten a Washington-grown apple. But you probably didn't know that most of these apple trees are literally blasted with insecticides that are harmful to the nervous system (including the brain!). One of these insecticides – a well-studied chemical called chlorpyrifos – was banned for use in homes because of its high risk to children. But there are still children who are being exposed to this chemical - the children in farming communities where your apples and other foods are grown

West Nile virus is a fact of life in most parts of the United States. The risks of infection can be serious, although these risks are much lower than influenza and food-borne diseases. Community mosquito control programs aim to reduce the risks of West Nile virus.

Invasive plants have become a problem nationwide. In natural areas, these non-native plants can sometimes take over and out-compete native plants. When native plants suffer, so do the animals that depend on them for food and habitat.

Scientific evidence showing that pesticides are harmful to our health is increasing rapidly. Recently, a review by government researchers looked at links between pesticide exposure and both cancer and nervous system problems and found yet more of this evidence. The review "clearly suggests that at current exposures pesticides adversely affect human health." The review also suggests that the way pesticides are currently regulated, based mostly on studies of laboratory animals, is problematic: the health effects found in the review show that "either animal testing alone or its interpretation in public policy is not sufficient to protect human health.